Online+Games+-+Absolute+Location

=Lesson Plan= By M. Echevarria

Objectives
S.W.B.A.T.

- Compare and contrast lines of longitude and latitude (Day 2). - Apply the use of the lines of longitude and latitude to find the absolute location of places (Day 3 and 4).
 * //Content Objectives://**

- Write the similarities and differences of the lines of latitude and longitude using a t-chart (Day 2). - Utilize geographic vocabulary in their explanations of locations in online geography games (Day 3 and 4).
 * //Language Objectives://**

Key Vocabulary
absolute location, relative location, longitude, latitude, parallels, meridians, prime meridian, equator, coordinates, projections, and the cardinal directions.

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Materials
Copies of t-charts, copies of cloze activity on longitude and latitude, computers, a projector, Internet access, and online games such as: [|Longitude and Latitude Map Match],[|Treasure Hunt],[| Rags to Riches], and[| Longitude and Latitude Practice.]

**Standards/CMT Strands:**
//__Social Studies Standards__// 1.4 - Using latitude and longitude, locate and describe specific places on a map. 2.1 – Access and gather information from a variety of primary and secondary sources (maps, charts, graphs, images and print materials). 2.2 – Interpret information from a variety of primary and secondary sources (maps, charts, graphs, images and print materials).

//__CT Media Literacy Standards__//

Standard 5: Technology Use: Operate and use computers and other technologies as tools for productivity, problem solving and learning across the content areas.

Lesson Delivery
Day 1 (not lesson for current objectives): Students will be introduced to Location as a theme of geography via a PowerPoint. Students will take notes on the relevant vocabulary that will be used when discussing Location. media type="file" key="Location.mov" width="300" height="300" media type="file" key="Map Projections.mov" width="300" height="300"

Day 2: Students will focus their day on Absolute Location or finding the exact location of places on the Earth using longitude and latitude. Students will read an expository text about Longitude and Latitude lines using a Lexiled Rookie Geography book titled [|Longitud y Latitud] While reading, the teacher and students will cooperatively use a [|T-chartlonglat.doc] to write the similarities and differences between both lines. The teacher will project the t-chart and ask for volunteers to write their findings. Students will be asked to indicate the similarities between the two lines ie. they are measured by degrees, they are found on globs and maps etc. They will also identify the differences ie. longitude lines run north to south, latitude line run east and west etc. They will also indicate vocabulary that is directly associated with each type of line ie. the equator is a latitude line. Each student will keep a copy of this chart for use in future lessons and independent study.

Day 3: Students will have an opportunity to apply what they have learned about the lines of latitude and longitude on the previous day to find the absolute locations of places given in online games that have been pre-selected. Students will begin class with an explanation of how both longitude and latitude lines are used to find locations. They will view read a cloze activity on Latitude and Longitude that provides maps and instructions for finding absolute location using coordinates. When finished, the teacher will introduce four online games [|Longitude and Latitude Map Match],[|Treasure Hunt], and[| Longitude and Latitude Practice.], each gives them practice with longitude and latitude. [| Rags to Riches] is a game that students can use to familiarize themselves with geographic terminology. Doing this will give student a fun way to learn and use social studies academic language. Students will be given an opportunity for independent practice on Day 4.

Day 4: A review of the geographic terms will be done. Students will be directed to the online games and use the remaining class time to apply the skills learned in the previous three lessons.

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Assessment
Future lessons and us of an Atlas to locate places in North America, Informal observations of game and the use of geographic vocabulary in discourse, final project on the Five Themes of Geography (specifically the theme of Location).